Introduction
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and evermore, Amen!
Beloved in Christ, today's Sermonette will focus on "Singleness of Purpose"—a call to unwavering commitment to God and His divine mission. Scripture shows that those who accomplished great things for God were marked by a singular devotion to Him. Our focus texts for discussion today—Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1, and Luke 13:31-35—teach us the importance of focusing on God's purpose without distraction.
Understanding Singleness of Purpose in the Christian Life.
Psalm 27:4 says, "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." David, the author of this psalm, exhibits a heart solely devoted to God. His deepest longing is not wealth, power, or success but intimacy with the Lord. He indicates that the advancement of the wicked towards him brings no fear to him; they will rather stumble and fall (Ps. 27:2,3). His confidence level is high because he is focused only on God Almighty. This is the essence of singleness of purpose—seeking God above all else.
This is what Christ Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." The Christian life is about keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal rather than the temporal.
In Secondary School at Scripture Union, we used to sing a song: 'When I look by sight, I see the problems over me. When I look by faith, I see the Son of God by my side. So nothing can be against me.'
When we purposefully focus on nothing or anyone except on Him, who is the author and finisher of our faith, our purpose and mission on earth will be completely achieved.
Paul's Example: Pressing Toward the Goal
In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul declares, "But one thing I do: forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Paul's life was marked by focus. Despite trials, persecutions, and hardships, he was committed to his divine calling (2 Cor. 4:7-10). He warns against distractions, urging believers to imitate his example (Philippians 3:17). In a world filled with distractions, singleness of purpose requires that we eliminate anything that hinders our pursuit of Christ.
It is worth noting that we may have role models, people we may look up to in this life like Paul, but our standard is not in any other than Christ Jesus.
Jesus Christ, The Ultimate Example of Singleness of Purpose
In Luke 13:31-35, Jesus demonstrates unwavering determination to fulfill His mission. Even when warned by the Pharisees that Herod seeks to kill Him, Jesus responds in verse 33, "In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!" (Luke 13:33). He was resolute in His purpose—to die for the salvation of humanity.
Jesus’ mindset and act is what the Hebrews writer aligns with in Hebrews 12:2, saying, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." He was not swayed by opposition, fear, or suffering. Jesus had singleness
Singleness of Purpose in Our Daily Walk
Let's share some thoughts on our singleness of purpose as we take steps with God daily.
1. Avoid Distractors. In James 1:8, we read, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." Divided attention weakens our ability to pursue God's calling. We must resist worldly entanglements that draw us away from our purpose.
Some have fallen out of their dedication to things of God because of what someone did or said. We should always remember that the path of our daily walk keeps legions of distractors, but we must have Christ as our singleness of purpose. (PH 572 [2]).
2. Commitment to Holiness. In 2 Timothy 2:4, "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier." Our focus should be on pleasing the Lord, not the world. Whatever we do, we must aim to please the Lord only.
3. Seeking God First. Stanza 1 of PH 572 says, "Let me seek the best of pleasures, Peace within my soul. There none on earth I treasure..." Just as David desired to dwell in God’s presence (Psalm 27:4), we must cultivate a deep hunger for God, for it is only in Him that the peace of our souls dwells. This means that prioritizing prayer, studying the Word, and obedience to His will cannot be compromised for anything.
Conclusion
Precious one, are you living with singleness of purpose? Are your priorities aligned with God's will? Like David, Paul, and Jesus, we must set our hearts on one thing: knowing and serving God faithfully. Let us heed Paul's exhortation in 1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
May we live like Jesus, pressing on toward the goal of our mission despite trials, while keeping our eyes on the eternal prize, Heaven. Amen.
Shalom aleikhem...
